Arafat, whom Israel accuses of supporting militant groups, did not appear to be calling for new attacks on Israel. The passage in the Quran refers to the early Muslims’ wars against pagans and is frequently invoked by Islamic leaders today to encourage strength in times of conflict.

‘To encourage strength’ via ‘terrorizing your enemy’? Yes, that has indeed been the modus operandi of Islamic leaders. But AP would have readers believe the ‘terrorize’ part was just some kind of detached, metaphorical rhetoric. What context is this reporter living in?! Is this PA apologist Saeb Arekat speaking, or an Associated Press reporter?!

Interesting how AP feels compelled to bring historical context into its reporting only when it’s necessary to soften up a clear Islamist call for murder.

Dear You!
I refer to your article (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apmideast_story.asp?category=1107&slug=Palestinians%20Arafat)
I’m aghast! I can’t even believe this actually appeared in this form!
Arafat, the head of the Fatah party, whose armed wing “The AlAqsa Brigades” has conducted no end of suicide bombings against civilians. Arafat, who has by his own admission been funding these men, calls out for the Palestinians to continue their ‘resistance’ and to “terrorize your enemy” while AP explains that Arafat just suddenly felt like reciting some verses from the Koran and did not intend to call out for any attacks which could be described as ‘terrorist’ actions.
Is this a joke?????????????????????
The amazing thing is that AP does not preface this patently false piece of Palestinian propaganda with the words “Hanan Ashrawi says” or with the words “Pro-Palestinian commentators claim”. Instead, AP presents this absurd white-washing of Arafat and his regime as a fact. It appears to be AP’s testimony.
How can whoever wrote this article call himself a journalist and face his image in the mirror?
How can the editor of this piece have allowed such a piece to appear?
You would think the editor would reconsider having the journalist continue to be in the payroll of AP since the journalist shows that facts and truth do not inhibit him.
We count on AP to provide a reliable news service. By now we all see that AP is deliberately biased, but surely AP has some small duty to truth! When you joined AP, did you really intend to become a propaganda mouthpiece? (and a mouthpiece/rubber stamp for terrorism, no less)
I’m sure you didnt wish for that. The question is, what will you do about it?
Please let me know!
Best wishes,
A.

my letter to the AP:
“Find what strength you have to terrorize your enemy and the enemy of God,” he said. “And if they want peace, then let’s have peace.”
Sir,
When we hear “right to life” we understand it to mean opposition to abortion.
When we hear a Republican politician refer to the “death tax,” we don’t assume that we will have to pay a tax before we check out. We understand it as a reference to the estate tax. And we further understand that the speaker opposed the estate tax.
And when we say gay we rarely mean jolly.
Language works like that.
When Yasser Arafat says “Find what strength you have to terrorize your enemy and the enemy of God,” he said. “And if they want peace, then let’s have peace.” Everyone in the world understands that he means is : Let’s terrorize Israelis, for we are their enemy and they are the enemy of God.
So will you please sit down with the ignoramus on your staff who wrote “Arafat, whom Israel accuses of supporting militant groups, did not appear to be calling for new attacks on Israel.”
And explain to him/her how language works. And that Arafat meant exactly what he said.
And while you’re at it, you might want to reflect on the fact that it’s not merely that Israel “accuses” Arafat of supporting militant gorups. It’s that reams of incontrovertible evidence exist that prove that Arafat funds and directs terrorism.
Diana Appelbaum